By Haruna Gimba
Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the recent contributory healthcare scheme initiative introduced in the state would make healthcare accessible and affordable.
Ganduje made the statement at the official launching of the Access to Care by the Enrollees of Kano State Contributory Healthcare Scheme (KSCHS), inauguration of Boards of Kano Ultra Modern Specialist Hospitals (KUSH), Kano Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND), and Private Health Institutions Management Agency, amongst others.
Health Reporters reports that the event took place at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu, Kano. “The official launch of access to care for enrollees of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Scheme is an integral part of our commitment and resolve to fulfill our pledge to the good people of Kano State to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all and sundry,” he said.
The governor revealed that the scheme was a domesticated version of the National Healthcare Insurance Scheme (NHIS), modified and adapted to suit local peculiarities and needs. “It also provides safeguards for sustainable funding for the health sector as well as guarantee provision of quality service at affordable cost for all citizens.
To further complement our efforts at funding healthcare sector in the State, we have established Kano State
Healthcare Trust Fund. “We have dedicated 1% of the Local Governments monthly Statutory Allocation and 5% of the monthly State Internally Generated Revenue to fund the scheme,” Ganduje disclosed.
He emphasized that after taking off finally, the Trust Fund would serve as an important artery for regular and sustainable funding for healthcare infrastructure and services in the state. The governor added that it would be deployed for recurrent maintenance and rehabilitation of buildings, provision and maintenance of equipment, training and such other services at healthcare facilities, including the Training Institutions controlled by the state government.
In a remark, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale, urged other states of the federation to copy exemplary engagement in boosting the healthcare delivery services from Kano state government. “Historically Kano state has been of progressive politics. The same scenario is being followed by the state in the health sector and Governor Ganduje is doing very well in this sector,” Adewole said.
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who said the programmes that took place during the event were clear indication to the fact that the state government is in total touch with the problem of the people.
He further called on citizens to always help government in the areas of education and healthcare delivery services, adding that, “We, as citizens shouldn’t leave health and education in the hands of government alone. All hands must be on deck for that.”
In a remark after inauguration of the boards, the Chairman of Kano Ultramodern Specialist Hospitals, Dr Aminu Garba Magashi, appreciated Ganduje for his unrelenting support and effective intervention in the healthcare delivery services.
Magashi said: “On behalf of other board members, we appreciated the beginning of history taking place here in this hall. We are committed to give all the necessary cooperation in boosting healthcare deliveryservices in the state.”
